Camellia sinesis leaves extract ameliorates high fat diet-induced nonalcoholic steatohepatitis in rats: analysis of potential mechanisms

Purpose Our research aims to address and determine the effect of Camellia sinensis extract in the management of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in rats. Methods Forty adult female albino rats were divided into four groups. Group 1 (G1) served as the control group, while the other three groups received high-fat diet for 32 weeks to induce NASH and then were later assigned to the following groups: (G2) NASH-afflicted group which was left untreated, (G3) NASH-afflicted group treated with Camellia sinensis extract in a dose of 400 mg/kg, and (G4) NASH-afflicted group treated with Camellia sinensis extract in a dose of 200 mg/kg. Results Significant elevation in serum alanine aminotransferase, albumin, bilirubin (total and direct), cholesterol, low density lipoprotein, triglycerides, leptin, Cox-2, and CD40 values was recorded. Moreover, overexpression of hepatic tumor necrosis factor alpha and hepatocyte growth factor genes were recorded, whereas blood platelet count and serum high density lipoprotein concentration revealed significant depletion, which was paralleled by significant downregulation of hepatic adiponectin gene expression level in NASH group versus the control group. On the opposite side, treatment of NASH groups with two different doses of Camellia sinensis extract reversed the values of the measured biochemical parameters and the targeted gene expression levels when compared with the NASH group. Optical micrograph of liver tissue sections of rats treated with Camellia sinensis extract showed the observed improvement in the studied biochemical and genetic markers. Conclusion This study provides a clear evidence for the promising therapeutic potential of Camellia sinensis extract against NASH. This could be ascribed to its hepatoprotective activity, hypolipidemic effect, and anti-inflammatory potency.